By Dawn Krebs
dkrebs@hometownnewsol.com
ST. LUCIE COUNTY --
The National Organization for Women, or NOW, has formed a chapter on the Treasure Coast.
"We're excited and energized by the response of the community," said Mindi Fetterman, president of the group.
The chapter is officially called the Treasure Coast NOW chapter. The first meeting was held on Dec. 18 at the Children's Services Council office in Port St. Lucie.
"There was a great turnout for the first meeting," said Dorothy Kamm, the vice president of public affairs for the organization. "Quite a number of people came out for it."
The group is open to both women and men of all ages.
"It about equal rights," Ms. Fetterman said. "A lot of people wanted to be a part of this."
But while a lot of people talked about it, the actual forming of the group took a few years.
"There was interest for a while, but the issue was getting a person to be president and make the group cohesive," Ms. Kamm said. "That's when Mindi Fetterman stepped up."
Ms. Fetterman knew the organization s had a group in the county in the past, but was now the only county in the state that didn't have representation.
"I really like grassroots efforts and when I found out we didn't have one here, I filed the paperwork and got it started," Ms. Fetterman said.
The group will focus on a broad range of priorities in the coming year. Some topics include addressing violence against women and advocating for economic justice and reproductive rights.
"We want to make sure that we educate future generations about women's issues and equality, as well as equality for all people," Ms. Fetterman said.
One of the first local events the group will hold is a cocktail party, currently planned for the end of January to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the court decision of Roe vs. Wade.
"We will be partnering with Pride of the Treasure Coast and Planned Parenthood to have the event," Ms. Fetterman said.
"It will recognize that the decision was about more than just legalizing abortion; it's really about government intrusion and privacy."
There will also be more events planned locally on the Treasure Coast throughout the coming year.
"The chapter will continue to push for positive social change," Ms. Fetterman said. "That's what will move the next generation forward."
Treasure Coast NOW chapter will meet on the third Tuesday of each month at the Inner Truth Center in St. Lucie West in Port St. Lucie. For more information, call Ms. Fetterman at (561) 909-9991 or go online to www.treasurecoastnow.org.